Waipapa Taumata Rau (University of Auckland) is spearheading a pioneering initiative aimed at elevating University Entrance (UE) pass rates and fostering tertiary success for Māori and Pacific students. Liletina Vaka, Associate Director of Schools and Community Engagement, unveiled the University’s ambitious vision for collaboration with secondary schools, setting a goal to achieve parity in UE rates for Māori and Pacific learners by 2030. University of Auckland Launches Groundbreaking Initiative to Boost Māori and Pacific Student Success
“This marks a transformative step forward, representing the first-ever partnership of its kind within the education sector,” Vaka stated. “The insights gained over the next six years in enhancing outcomes for Māori and Pacific students can serve as a blueprint for all learners, as UE rates are declining across student groups, with Māori and Pacific learners experiencing a disproportionate impact.”
From 2020 to 2022, the UE attainment for Māori and Pacific students declined from 40 to 34 percent, contrasting with the national rate, which decreased from 53 to 50 percent. To address this disparity, twelve Auckland schools recently formalized a partnership with the University, committing to collaborative efforts aimed at equalizing educational outcomes for Māori and Pacific students with their peers.
Pro Vice-Chancellor (Māori) Associate Professor Te Kawehau Hoskins emphasized the critical importance of retaining students to achieve UE, highlighting that tertiary education serves as a vital pathway for improving life chances for Māori and Pacific communities.
“Success in tertiary education is an important pathway for improving the life chances of Māori and Pacific students and their communities,” Associate Professor Hoskins affirmed. “We anticipate productive collaboration with our schools to support the preparation, participation, and success of our students.”
Echoing this sentiment, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Pacific) Professor Jemaima Tiatia-Siau emphasized the necessity of addressing inequities within tertiary education. She underscored the significance of supporting Pacific students in overcoming barriers to success, envisioning the partnership as a potential gamechanger for communities.
Ms. Vaka identified unpreparedness resulting from systemic inequalities as a significant barrier for Māori and Pacific students entering tertiary education. The new initiative seeks to address this by collaborating closely with secondary schools to lay the groundwork for higher education success.
Katalina Ma, Pathways Programme Manager overseeing the project, highlighted the initiative’s primary aim of ensuring that Māori and Pacific secondary students attain a ‘fit for purpose’ University Entrance qualification. By aligning efforts and sharing crucial data with schools, the initiative aims to empower students with the necessary tools for success in higher education.
The initiative, set to unfold over the next six years, holds immense potential for current and future generations of Māori and Pacific learners. Ms. Vaka expressed optimism about the transformative impact of the partnership, not only within the education sector but also across broader society.
University of Auckland Launches Groundbreaking Initiative to Boost Māori and Pacific Student Success“This UE partnership has real potential to impact our education sector, as well as our labour market, city, and society more broadly,” Ms. Vaka concluded, underscoring the initiative’s significance in fostering equitable educational opportunities for all.
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